Leading a Legacy: Reenactor John Godzieba

Virtue, discipline, and leadership. These are just a few powerful words that can be used to describe the nation’s first president, Gen. George Washington. These compelling traits also describe another important figure in our community, John Godzieba, who portrays Washington at Washington Crossing Historic Park and reenactments throughout the country. Godzieba embodies the attributes and commanding presence that historians have long associated with Washington. Through his dedication, Godzieba brings this important historical figure to life for today’s generation and is proud of it.

“I take this position very seriously,” he says. “I want to portray George Washington with dignity because he was a dignified man. As soon as I put on my uniform, I get into character, and I do this for the public because they want to see the man himself.”

Godzieba was born and raised in Philadelphia. His interest in serving the community lead to a career as a police officer. In 1979, he was hired by the Bristol Township Police Department, prompting him to move to Bucks County. After working in Bristol for 38 years, he retired as a lieutenant. His dedication to public service continued in the role of Langhorne Borough’s chief of police for seven years before retiring from law enforcement.

“I was always drawn to the idea of helping people and working in the community, so that’s how I ended up getting involved in police work,” Godzieba says. “In Bristol, I took on additional roles in the honor guard, as a canine officer, and as the commander of the Bucks County Major Incident Response team. As police chief in Langhorne, I loved the small-town atmosphere, getting to know the residents, and helping them with their problems.”

Here Comes the General

Growing up in Philadelphia, Godzieba was introduced to historic sites at a young age. However, his interest in 18th-century history wasn’t piqued until he visited Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia as an adult.

Shortly after that trip, he saw a newspaper advertisement recruiting new members for the Revolutionary War Living History Reenactors 5th Pennsylvania Regiment. He attended a meeting at Washington Crossing Historic Park and joined the unit. He has now been with the regiment for three decades.

“With each unit, you become an extended family,” Godzieba says. “Together, we learn about uniforms, how to work a musket, how to march, and how the soldiers operated. Eventually, we go to reenactments where we camp out in tents, cook over the fire, and experience life as close to the real period as possible. By walking in the same areas that the soldiers walked in, it really draws you to continue to be involved.”

One of the standout activities the group participates in is the Crossing of the Delaware reenactments each December. Members also take part in more than 10 other reenactments a year around Philadelphia, New England, and the South.

Over time, reenactors move up in responsibility, and in 2003, Godzieba decided to audition for the role of Washington. The first two times he auditioned he did not get the part, but the third time was the charm. The audition process included answering questions about Washington’s life as a civilian and soldier, reciting parts of Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis,” and looking the part with an authentic handmade uniform. Impressed by his performance, a panel of five judges selected him for this prestigious role in 2009.

“George Washington is a fascinating guy,” Godzieba says. “I really like the background of the man himself, not just his military career. He loved consensus and enjoyed talking to his officers to make sure everybody agreed upon issues. I think we are similar because he was chosen to be a general and I was chosen to run police operations. I’m also a guy who loves consensus. I like to portray the human part of him when I come out to greet people at the crossing every year.”

Jennifer Martin, executive director of Friends of Washington Crossing Park, works closely with Godzieba on many projects and agrees that the two men share several qualities. “John is a natural leader,” she says. “Like Washington, he is thoughtful, composed, and intentional in how he carries himself. He has a strong moral compass, and I think his experience as an officer and chief has helped shape his leadership qualities that make him well suited for this role.”

A Natural Leader

When Godzieba finally received his opportunity to portray Washington crossing the Delaware River, Washington Crossing Historic Park faced closure due to state funding losses related to the 2008 market crash. Not wanting to go a year without the famous reenactment, Godzieba and other community members raised money for the Crossing to continue and succeeded. Godzieba has led this momentous reenactment now for 25 years.

“Once you get in the boat, the first thing I always notice is the temperature drops 10 degrees,” he says. “We’ve had years where it’s snowed, sleeted, and rained, and you think a lot about what the soldiers went through with far fewer amenities. As you start crossing the river, you look at the Pennsylvania shoreline and it’s just wall-to-wall people. It’s amazing how many people come out to see something very important. Many of the visitors come every year, so I’ve met generations of families.”

The group that helped raise money for the 2008 crossing eventually formalized itself into the nonprofit Friends of Washington Crossing Park, which continues to support the park through fundraising, educational programs, and events for the park today. Godzieba has served as president of the group for the past 14 years.

“Washington Crossing Historic Park is not only a gem of a park, but it means so much to the history of this country,” Godzieba says. “I want people to understand what took place here and the sacrifices soldiers made. They gave their lives for something they thought was worth it, and I want to make sure that this park is preserved for years to come.”

Martin says that Godzieba has been very impactful as president. “John is a strong ambassador for our mission, passionate about the work we do, and very effective at encouraging others to feel that same connection to the site and its history,” she says. “In addition to portraying Washington on site, he does a lot of outreach events to share our history with our community.”

Time to Celebrate

Godzieba and Martin are on the board of Bucks250PA to help raise funds for local sites and plan commemorative events to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial. One of the highlights for Godzieba was working on a Revolutionary War Trail Map for Bucks County, encouraging people to visit multiple county locations tied to the Revolutionary War.

Washington Crossing Historic Park will host several special events on July 4, with a Living History Day, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and fireworks—and Godzieba will be there as Washington, ready to greet visitors. He says although the park is celebrating America’s anniversary all year long with programs and new initiatives, the capstone of the 250th celebration will be the 2026 Crossing of the Delaware at the end of December.

America’s 250th birthday would not be possible without Washington’s leadership as a general and the nation’s first president. Godzieba feels connected to him on many levels and reflects on what the Father of His Country might think of this milestone celebration.

“I think Washington knew the strength of the people in this country and how we must continue to support it, fight for it, and carry it further,” he says. “I think today he would be proud to have been on the ground floor of something that has grown so much over 250 years.”

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography